A measure of U.S. factory activity remained stuck in contraction territory for a 14th straight month at the end of 2023, restrained by weaker orders.

The U.S. service sector expanded only modestly in April according to the Institute for Supply Management, restrained by the weakest pace of business activity in nearly three years.

U.S. services firms grew at a slower pace in April compared with the prior month as companies are reporting cost pressures from possible tariffs and a shortage of available workers.

Growth in U.S. service industries cooled in March for a second month as orders settled back from the fastest pace in more than 12 years, a survey from the Institute for Supply Management showed April 4.

America’s service industries expanded in October at the fastest rate since August 2005, indicating the biggest part of the economy is gathering strength, a survey from the Institute for Supply Management showed Nov. 3

America’s service industries expanded more than projected in April as a measure of orders reached the highest level since 2005, a survey from the Institute for Supply Management showed May 3.

American service companies expanded in March at the slowest pace in five months, adding to signs of tepid economic growth in the first quarter, a survey by the Institute for Supply Management showed April 5.

Optimism among CEOs of some of the largest U.S. companies jumped in the first quarter by the most since the economy was emerging from the latest recession, as the outlook for sales, the labor market and investment brightened considerably.

American service companies expanded in February at the fastest rate since October 2015 amid stronger orders, signaling momentum in the economy’s biggest sector.